Lake Shore Drive to get 2-month-long resurfacing

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City of Chicago

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Staff report

Just because summer is winding down that doesn't mean road-construction season is over.

A two-month-long resurfacing project for parts of North Lake Shore Drive begins Sept. 5, although the work will be done during off-peak hours to minimize traffic problems, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Eventually, all four lanes of both directions will be resurfaced on two portions of the Drive: between Sheridan Road and Foster Avenue and between Belmont Avenue and North Avenue – a total of 2.75 miles of roadway. The work is supposed to end in early November.

CDOT warns that drivers should expect some delays due to the work at various times, both day and night. However, at least two travel lanes will be open at all times in both directions.

Also, there will be no lane obstructions during rush hour peaks: southbound 6-10 a.m. and northbound 3-7 p.m.

The resurfacing of these two sections will cost about $3.8 million in total, with the state contributing about $2.8 million and the remaining $1 million coming from federal funds, according to CDOT spokesman Peter Scales.

While Scales didn't know the exact date when those areas last were resurfaced, "It is safe to say that these sections haven’t been resurfaced in at least a decade."

Resurfacing has an expected 10-12 year lifespan, he said.

The work is part of Building a New Chicago, a $7.3 billion infrastructure renewal program, according to a CDOT release. There will be resurfacing of more than 230 miles of arterial and residential streets in Chicago this year, the release said.